Wiggins’ Sky team wins stage, Puccio to Giro lead

ISCHIA, Italy (AP) — Bradley Wiggins is already in control of the Giro d’Italia.

The Tour de France winner powered Sky to victory Sunday in the Italian classic’s second stage, a team time trial, and moved into second place overall. The only person in front of him is Italian teammate Salvatore Puccio, who is regarded mainly as a support rider but took the leader’s pink jersey because of his better result in Saturday’s opening stage.

“It’s a bit unexpected but I’m happy to have it,” Puccio said.

Sky finished in 22 minutes, 5 seconds along the picturesque 10.8-mile route on the island of Ischia. Movistar was second, 9 seconds behind, and Astana — with Wiggins’ expected rival for the title, Vincenzo Nibali of Italy — was third, 14 seconds back.

Wiggins, the Briton who followed his Tour title with a gold medal in the time trial at last year’s London Olympics, has the same time as Puccio in the overall standings. Another Sky rider, Sergio Henao Montoya of Colombia, is third overall, also with the same time.

The nine Sky riders took part in a wild podium celebration, dousing each other with the provided bottles of champagne.

“Today went well, but this is just the start,” said Sky team director Marcus Ljungqvist.